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Sgt Grit,
Reading your newsletter about S/Sgt Dudley being at Camp Carroll
when the Army's 2/94, 175mm self propelled came in. I remember
that night very well.
I was assigned to 3rdBn12Mar at the time.
When that first shell was fired, I do believe that every
mother's son of 3/12 and 3/3 were in their holes before the echo
started. 2/94 had set up behind us and fired over us. The
ground shook so bad I don't doubt some were shaken out of their
cots.
It was an experience.
Paul S. Martell
2101417
L/Cpl
1964-1969
RVN '66/'67
On My Way To Vietnam
Sgt Grit Vietnam Video Photo Montage (You Tube)
Taken Our Survey Yet?
Of those listed below...
Who was America's greatest president?
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
James Monroe
Abraham Lincoln
Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt
Calvin Coolidge
Franklin D. Roosevelt
John F. Kennedy
Ronald Reagan
Bill Clinton
DaNang Ammo Dump
"DaNang ammo dump explosion on April 27, 1969."
I read the above on the Sgt Grit page a while back, and vowed
that some day I would drag that old footlocker out of the attic
and send the attached pics.
We had just come down from Phu Bai a few weeks before and were
somewhere nearby waiting for orders to return to the World. I
recall being in a large metal building with fluorescent light
fixtures, waiting for processing. I had turned in all my gear.
All I had was the clothes on my back and a manila folder stuffed
in my Jungle utes front pocket, (my service record and orders)
The big booms began, I don't remember anyone issuing any orders,
but I elected to adapt to the situation and return to where my
unit hooches were located, I knew where to go as the crow flies,
but was otherwise unfamiliar with the terrain.
I ordered myself to return to a safe area, across some rice
paddies cordoned off with concertina wire and little signs that
said "MIN" What the h&ll is a "MIN"? I wondered, ... just then I
noticed a young Vietnamese boy 8-10 years old yelling "li dai,
li dai, li dai, (spelling?) he guided myself and several other
Marines through that minefield and to a paved road, and then I
ran the rest of the way back to our unit area while snapping
shots over my shoulder with a 35 mm Yaschica camera, reloading
film along the way.
When I finally got back to my unit, all sweaty, dusty from the
fallout of the expended ordinance, NO COVER!, shirt unbuttoned,
I was greeted by a grizzled, cigar chomping Master Gunnery
Sergeant Sydlowski who informed me that I was out of uniform.
He was joined by a brand new shiny LT., who wanted to know why I
was out of uniform ... Master Gunnery Sergeant Sydlowski
dismissed the shiny-new-just-in-country - that - day LT and said
HE would handle this matter The Master Gunnery Sergeant then
went into his hooch and produced 2 ice cold beers. and a couple
of cigars.
Ken Martin
Corporal of Marines
Serial #2361495
With Vigor
Reading that story brought back memories of my artillery unit.
Each time we got a new man (basis 0800) and especially a new
lieutenant, they had to qualify with an ax. The trick was they
had to hit a piece of wood ten times with an axe while
blindfolded. And to make sure they didn't cheat, after putting
on the blindfold, we removed their cover. Giving the command to
begin, most swung the axe with vigor. After the tenth blow the
blindfold was removed so they could see and there on the piece
of wood lay their cover or what was left of it.
Another stunt was to asked a new lieutenant if he would help
catch the muzzle blast so we could reuse it. Drawing a diagram
showing what happen when we fired the howitzer how the muzzle
blast dropped directly down upon exiting the muzzle, how it was
caught in a bucket. Most wouldn't fall for it, but one did and
he had moved out near the muzzle with a bucket during a fire
mission. I had to call the exec and tell him I was out of
action due to personnel in front of the gun. I then had to
explain the reason. Needless to say, we couldn't do it anymore.
Most men were not angry and took it in good fun.
Albert Dixon, GySgt, USMC, Ret.
SeaGoing Marines
How about some SeaGoing (MarDet) stories.
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
info@grunt.com
Let's Hear From You
Sgt Grit
I love hearing all of the stories from the older Marines. I
served 93-97 and have often thought of going back in to help the
boys out. I'd like to hear more stories of what's going on now.
It's hard to find Marines telling stories of what they
experienced in Afghanistan. I know that they're probably busy
as h&ll, but where are the Marines that are just getting out?
Let's hear from you!
Brad
You Have No Idea
I underwent boot camp July - October 1955 and we were taught the
eight man squad drill as well as LPM drill. Upon transfer to H&S
1-10-2 FMF, CLNC, we never used it. Was transferred to Marine
Barracks - Clarksville Base, TN 11/56. At an IG inspection the
following spring, we were turned out on the drill deck (really a
parking area) to demonstrate that we had been drilled properly
by our leadership. None of us had used 8-man drill since boot
camp. As we marched down the deck, as the squad NCO, I was
ordered to direct "SQUADS RIGHT ABOUT".
As we marched away from the inspectors, I quietly asked the
squad if they knew what to do when I gave the order. None did. I
elected to keep them marching straight ahead, then ordered "To
the rear, MARCH!" Arriving at our starting point, the inspector
simply said to me, "You have no idea how to do that do you?" I
honestly said, "No, sir."
I never knew whether or not we got negative ratings over that,
but I never heard from any of my superiors about it and we never
practiced squad drill after that.
J.B. Tonkin
USMC 1955-1958
Alpha Company 1st Bn 7th Marines
Alpha Company 1st Bn 7th Marines will hold their 2009 biennial
get together June 4th-7th at the Doubletree Hotel in St Louis
Missouri.
For more information please contact
Nat Holmes at 479-855-9135, or natholmes3@gmail.com
Subject: New Urban Assault USMC Motorcycle
(UNCLASSIFIED)
I want one of these....
Designed as an equalizer for inconceivable and unpredictable
lane changes, and other traffic related anomalies perpetrated by
the cell phone using, motor home/SUV driving morons in
California imposed on the rest of us. The below pictured machine
was designed for that purpose.
Each mini gun fires at a rate of 3000 rounds per minute (6000
total). During initial test and evaluation it was demonstrated
that a single 2 second burst would, and did blow a 40 foot RV
with tow car clean off the road, leaving an open and
unobstructed route ahead. It will vaporize an SUV in seconds!
Tests further indicated that after two or three RV's/SUV's in a
row were eliminated, or "friggin smoked", others voluntarily
pulled off the road and thus became a "non threat."
OBEY GRAVITY ... Its the Law
After My Uncle
Dear Sgt. Grit,
When I came across the story in the newsletter dated 1Jan2009
entitled WE MARCHED OUT, it immediately took me back to Boot
Camp. The writer mentioned that he was in platoon 112 and had
remembered a short D.I. who liked to punch recruits in the gut.
That short D.I. was one of my junior D.I.'s, Sgt. J.R.
Strickland, a Korean War vet. My senior D.I. was SSgt E.J.
Massengill (another Korean war vet). My platoon was 113 and I
was the Guidon Bearer. Sgt. Strickland called his short, rapid
jabs to the gut "thump time".
Our platoon was formed on or about 8 May 1957 (I had enlisted on
6May57 in New York and traveled by train to Yemasee). The
platoon graduated during the second or third week in August.
In Feb. 1969 while in training at Camp Pendleton for deployment
to Vietnam I ran across SSgt Massengill at the PX. He was now a
MSgt and I was a SSgt. I went over and introduced myself, told
him I had been the Guidon Bearer of Platoon 113 and that he had,
in fact, chosen me to be the Guidon Bearer, and thanked him for
preparing me to be a Marine. He thanked me for remembering him
and apologized for his not remembering me. I told him that with
all the recruits that he trained to become Marines it was no
wonder he wouldn't have remembered me. I told him that after my
uncle, who was a Marine during WWII, he was the second Marine
who really had a profound influence on me.
As a parting note, I greatly enjoy your newsletters. I had
always thought that at some point in time I would run across a
story or reminiscence that would trigger my memory. It happened
and I thank you for it. Keep up the great work.
Respectfully,
Richard A. Barr 1646556 USMC
SSgt of Marines 6May57-5Nov69
Honorably discharged at Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor
Semper Fi
P.S. The picture of you in your catalog saying that you arrived
in DaNang in March of 1969 also jogged the memory. I also
arrived in DaNang in March. We may very well have passed either
other while going through processing. Small world, indeed!
Western Omelet
When I was in Plt.2019 MCRD San Diego back in "74", we marched
to the mess hall at zero dark thirty for morning chow. We would
halt at the main entrance in two lines and the DI would call
"Form for chow". The recruits on the right would do 4 right
faces, and the recruits on the left would do a right face a step
forward and a left face, then we closed ranks as the DI said
"Buthole to bellybutton ladies."
Coming to the steam tables one morning I decided to have a
western omelet which I'd never tried before. Of course in boot
camp it's "Take what you want, but eat what you take", so I
emptied my plate, dropped my tray at the scullery, and formed up
in the assembly area to the left of the building. I started
getting a little queezy, and promptly lost my breakfast at my
feet. I haven't been able to look at a western omelet in 34
years now.
Richard Kulpa
2-6-74 to 2-3-78
Note:
Geeeeezzzzz.......Western Omelet, what did I miss in boot camp?
All I remember was getting my gray sectioned metal tray, going
through the line. Not saying a thing, not one word, nothing,
nada. Holding my plate out and being thankful for whatever the
SOB on the other side of the line was motivated enough to put on
my tray.
Sgt Grit
Time Of Transitions
I went through boot camp at Parris Island in the summer of 1960.
Gen. Shoup was the Commandant. We trained in 8 man squads and in
13 man squads. There were other changes during 1960-1961 in
addition to the elimination of the swagger stick. USMC issue
'battle jackets" were eliminated, unless you could buy one from
someone who had been issued one. The old style strength test was
replaced by a new test which was based more on actual events
than on pure PT. The old WW2/Korea twill utilities were replaced
with a new olive drab cotton utility. Collar emblems for summer
service A uniforms were eliminated in 1961 as I can best recall.
Pith helmets went away as well in the Tropic climates. It was a
time of transitions and there have been many since the sixties.
Thanks for all your great work Sgt. Grit....
L/Cpl C. Anderson
USMC 1960-1964
If You Got Hurt
Sgt. Grit,
I have to add my two cents worth regarding the football teams at
Camp Pendleton. I also played on one of these suicide teams. I
say Suicide team because I played for the Navy Hospital team
against Marines in the staging battalions before their shipping
off to Vietnam in 1967.
To say there was some animosity is beyond question and added to
the equations was the fact that if you got hurt in such a game
it delayed your deployment. I can relate that I have never seen
so many broken bones, strains and contusions in a sporting
event. And to add insult to injury, after the game we had to
treat the Marines we had just played. We usually lost the game,
but hardly ever suffered any injuries as it was a known fact
that we had the last word, so to speak. Most if not all the
Corpsmen from there did go FMF and did serve with our Marines in
Vietnam.
Barry "Doc" Stevens
VN '68 1/26
In My Sleep
Hi Sgt. Grit,
I went to a recent "Shot Show" in Orlando, Florida and guess who
I saw standing in the front of the "Glock Booth" ? R. Lee
Ermey a.k.a Gunny Hartman. Who can ever forget him from the
movie Full Metal Jacket as a hard core DI. His voice is very
distinct, sometimes I hear it in my sleep. Few of my personal
favorites that he delivered in that movie...."Until you leave
my island, you are nothing but a worthless human being"...."You
give your soul to Jesus but you a$s belong to the Corps".
What a thrill it was seeing him, I took a picture with him and had a Full Metal Jacket DVD signed by him. Check out the
picture, still as lean and still a Marine! I hung my picture
with him on my Marine Corps wall next to my picture with
Sergeant Major David Sommers back in 1990. I'm proud to be an
American and most of all being a United States Marine !
Semper Fi,
"Mad Max"
USMC 0331
Pvt Schultz
SGT Grit
Does anyone remember the Book (paperback) cartoon about Pvt
Schultz, a gorilla who befriends a Marine in the Philippines on
an Artillery tour with the 3rd MAR DIV 12th MAR REG. I think it
was like a comic book about how the Marine dresses the gorilla
in Marine fatigues and passes the gorilla off as a PVT in the
Corps, He's in formations, standing inspections, and is taken
onboard the ship sailing back to Okinawa for more adventures
within the 12 MAR Reg. I think it was written by a CPL in the
Corps and it was very funny reading and the cartoons showing all
these crazy adventures and how he got away with all this. I
tried to find it on the internet, no luck. This was back in 1958
so I hope someone out there remembers this so I don't sound too
crazy.
Bob Fournier L/Cpl 57 -61
4th Week, 1961
I was in about my 4th week of boot camp, Plt. 370 Oct 1961. It
was still hot enough for 'Chrome Domes', helmet liners painted
silver to reflect the heat. We had just come from some PT and
were waiting in a chow line when the DI insisted we close ranks
far enough that the man in front of us smile.
Well, it was about 85 non-windy degrees. Our platoon was looking
straight ahead, no eyeballing, The closeness allowed me a rare
view of a sand flea working it's way from the back of the neck
of the recruit in front of me to go inside the ear of the
Marine. His head was trying to move w/o moving & it even looked
like he was trying to wiggle his ears to dislodge the 'pet'.
After a minute or so, he couldn't stand it anymore & while sweat
was dripping everywhere, he moved his right hand index finger
into his ear, turned it quickly & moved his hand back in a split
second....Happy ending? no way...his slight motion, in a tight
formation, brought no less than 2 DI's, one on each side, asking
the recruit if he was trying to overcome ED or something to that
effect.
Needless to say, my proximity to all this, the speed of the hand
movement, the faster speed of the DI's along with the verbal
shower of words & spit on both of us hit me in such a way as to
appear hilarious...Oh, no, I didn't laugh as much as I wanted to
because I bit hard on the inside of my cheek to return my
sanity.
The recruit was pulled out of line & told he had to seek put the
family of the dead sand flea & plan a proper burial. I always
wondered if the memory of that incident was as vivid to that guy
as it was to me.
Names of Plt. 370 DI's were Gy/Sgt. Delkoski, (short & mean)
SSgt. Timmermeyer (tall & skinny) and Sgt. Davis, who saved one
of our recruits from choking on a chicken bone.
The 3rd Batl. barracks were relatively new & made of brick (It
was called Disneyland because the other battalions were in
Quonset huts.) Disneyland hadn't been built yet.
Right Step?
In 1957 at MCRD San Diego, it was 13-man squad drill...recall
SSGT J.A. Hollingshead remark that he had to know and teach
something like 435 different steps...Squads Right About (or
left, too) was a doozy...the Squad Leader (I were one, even if
known by the DI's as 'Jugbutt") had to boogie between two squads
to wind up on the right spot...beautiful, if done correctly...
From memory, the first ALMAR from CMC Shoup said something to
the effect of: "From this day forward, Landing Party Manual
drill will be the only drill performed in the U.S. Marine Corps,
and so long as I remain Commandant, that will not change"
It is now about 47 years later, and it's still the LPM. There is
one difference, seen only in recruit training, and that is the
use of four squads where the manual calls for three... mostly to
cut the length of the platoon column. It is now 43 years since
my Campaign Cover went into the press to stay, so anyone who is
more current, feel free to correct me...
Trick question: When is the only time that one steps off with
the right foot first? Answer follows the next sea story....
Dirty tricks dept, #2...in antiquity, I chewed. Red Man,
mostly. I didn't expect anyone else to have to deal with my
'gaboon', which was a #10 tin can, kept at the left side of my
desk in the I-I office, and attended to it myself.
One of the I-I staff, SSGT George Gallegos, was as rough & tough
a Marine as ever came out of New Mexico...but he just could not
deal with the chewing/patooie thing...
Came in early one morning with a brand new #10 tin can...(so
far, so good)...poured the entire contents of a can of Coke into
said receptacle...removed a sizable amount of chew from the
pouch du jour, wadded it into a tight ball, and deposited it in
the new, coke-filled can, having hidden the original can.
I called SSGT Gallegos to bring in the unit diary (or
whatever...). Marine that he was, he entered the office, and
reported smartly. After advising this key member of our little
band of Marines stationed out in the hinterlands of Illinois,
surrounded by civilians, to stand easy, I began to pat pockets,
open and close desk drawers, look in a locker, etc., finally
exclaiming "D*mn....I'm outta RedMan!
(You can see this coming, can't you?)...reached into the new can
which was residing where the can always resided, fished around
until I found the wad, picked it up, squeezed out most of the
liquid, and tucked it into a jaw. SSGT Gallegos excused himself
suddenly, for some reason...perhaps to locate some Reservist
lurking down the hall who went by the name of 'Ralph'...who
knows? Never did tell him the rest of the story.
AND, the answer is: Right Step, March!...if you didn't know that
one, you owe me all the squat-whoopies but one...
D. Dickerson
Hard As A Rock
Sgt. Grit:
Marines playing football without a helmet? No joke there.
April, 1962 we finished our combat training in tent camp at
Comp Pendleton and went to great wooden barracks mainside. We
got a new platoon leader at that time, 2nd Lt. Eddie Lebaron,
who had made Little All American at College of Pacific, and of
course we enjoyed playing football in the late afternoons before
chow. No equipment, no helmets, just young Marines in great
physical condition. Mr. Lebaron was in the best shape of all,
I think, and when I tackled him, it was like hitting a stone
wall. He was hard as a rock.
And we played on the blacktop in front of the barracks, no soft
dirt for us. We were all privates and privates first class,
after just getting out of Parris Island, and Mr. Lebaron made
me plt. sgt. He remained our plt. leader while enroute to Kobe
and then on to Korea aboard the USS Menefee, APA 202.
Former Sgt. Joe Hodges, AT-7 Korea
1951-52
While Waiting
I am a four year veteran who served during peace time. I
remember mounting out from Camp Pendleton to San Diego where we
boarded ships destined for the Caribbean during the Cuban
missiles crises. People lined some of the streets to wave at
us. I was privileged to be placed aboard the carrier, Iwo Jima.
I believe the carrier had to stop at the Panama Canal to remove
the elevators to traverse the locks.
While waiting, several military trucks with red crosses on them
back up to the ship. They offloaded blood plasma which made us
aware of how serious this effort was going to be.
My MOS was 2533, radio telegraph operator and so the Navy asked
the Marines to provide signalmen to augment their staff. This
meant we Marine communicators had to revisit learning semaphore.
It also meant we had to utilize infra red signal lamps at night
since the fleet was in a "lights out" situation.
One night, my Marine buddy, Tom Machuga and I were standing
watch and climbed to the highest most part of the ship to
receive and send messages by signal lamp. During our signaling,
the flight deck lights came on and the alarm signals went off.
I thought we had been hit by a torpedo and we would end up in
the water. Turns out my fears were alleviated when it was soon
announced that it was a false alarm. Seems a fire watch on the
flight deck discovered a flashlight beam from one of the life
boats was turned on.
Semper Fi
Dan Suter
1960-64
Pill Pusher Finally Made It
A small correction...the Medal of Honor referred to in this
newsletter was awarded to George E. Wahlen (corrected spelling).
Only five men of the original 240 men in his company came
through the campaign without being either killed or wounded. At
Camp Pendleton in 1945 George received two Navy Crosses (in
addition to several Purple Heart medals) and was ordered to go
to Washington to receive the Medal of Honor from President Harry
Truman. Truman quipped "I'm sure glad a pill pusher finally
made it up here!" with a smile. In 1948, Wahlen enlisted in the
Army as a medical technician and retired as a Major in 1968. He
now lives in Utah. Semper Fidelis Doc!
Joe Featherston
Mustang Major of Marines, Retired
In A Cigar Box
You left out 1st Sgt. C Ward. He had so many medals that when he
wore his Dress Blues he had to wear them on both sides and then
only the important one's, the rest he kept in a cigar box. He
lied about his age in WW11. He went in at 16. He was at all the
battles then he went to Korea and was at the frozen Chosin.
There's a book about Hero's of the Korean war and they did a
whole page on just him. Then in the late 60's he was on his way
to Nam.
Jim Lowell 3/8 2nd Mar Div. 66 to 68
Go Any Faster
I went aboard the Olmsted at Moorehead City Jan 9, 1958 as a
member of H&S-1-8, motor transport. I had joined the U.S.M.C.R.
Sept 20, 1956 at 17, just a month after my birthday. I went to
Parris Island Feb 20,1957 and after ITR was sent to H&S 1-8.
While aboard the Olmsted I was assigned to B-1-8 as their jeep
driver for Capt. Anderson and remember winding up at the 7 UP
plant and having them bring out cases of ice cold 7UP for all
the troops. 7 UP never tasted so good. We still had to get up in
the hills, and it was ungodly hot so Capt. Anderson had the
troops put their packs on the jeep and trailer to help them out.
Most of the guys were soaked with sweat and beat from the hike
up the mountain. I wish I could have done more. I remember that
there were some Gypsy's where we camped and Gunny Ortega grabbed
one of their chickens and showed me how to hypnotize it. As I
remember it he had relatives in Spain and took some leave there.
I also heard rumors that he used to sneak around all by himself
in the night because he either wanted to fight or go home.
One day I had a mishap on the coast highway and wrecked my jeep
so immediately became a BAR man for B-1-8, but after 9 days and
a shortage of drivers with a 6th Fleet license I was transferred
to S-3 1-8 and was at headquarters when they towed one of those
helicopters off the hill. My CO was Capt. Hutchinson and we had
a Sgt Larson or Larkin. I also remember a Major Michaels who I
took into Beirut one night and he gave me h&ll all the way back
because the jeep wouldn't go any faster and he was tired.
PFC Mike Henchey, 1608832/3531
At No Time
I just finished reading the latest newsletter and felt I had to
respond to all the posts from "cold war Marines", "between war
Marines", and "never-in-country war-era Marines".
I served from 1978 to 1996 before receiving a medical discharge.
During that time I had the honor of serving with former Sgt
Major of the Marine Corps Lewis Lee on the Drill Field in
1985-87 and again in Okinawa in 1989-90. The entire time I knew
Sgt Maj Lee, who in addition to his two purple hearts, had
several other combat related decorations, never called me
anything but Sgt, SSgt, Gunny or Marine. As a K-130 and C-9B
Loadmaster, I had the opportunity to transport many Marines who
were veterans of WW II, Korea, and Viet Nam. At no time did I
feel they considered me any less of a Marine for not having
served in combat with them.
I recently had the honor of attending the 223rd Marine Corps
Birthday Ball with the 1st Battalion 24th Marines 4th Marine
Division in Lansing, Michigan where I am a member of the Marine
Corps League. The Guest of Honor was General James T. Conway,
Commandant of the Marine Corps. He was the sixth Commandant I
have had the pleasure of meeting and not one failed to
personally address me as "Marine."
I don't know where the shame has come from for many of my
contemporaries for not having served in combat, we all served
and were prepared for whatever came. The last time I checked,
the title is not "Combat Marine" or "Non-combat Marine", the
title is MARINE.
John S. Hall
MARINE 1978-1996
Healthy And Semi-Retired
Dear Sgt. Grit:
Great catalogue and newsletter!
It's a shame that "Young Marines" such as yourself and I cannot
get back into the Reserves (even the Army) since we are "Too
Old" I am the same age as you are, namely a healthy and semi-
retired NCO from the sixties!
If we were Old "Surgeons" we would be able to get an AGE WAIVER!
Keep up the Good Work!
Semper Fi!
Hans
Proud To Say
I'm honored and proud to say that I served with my fellow
brothers and sisters in America's elite fighting force! My
father, also a Marine, served 3 tours in Vietnam and received
the Purple Heart. My tour of duty includes: MWLK 1st MAW,
Okinawa, Japan. Then 1st FSSG MP Company, Camp Pendleton.
Devil Dog Tattoo
Semper Fi - Devil Dogs!
Michael Hernandez
My Reply
I enlisted in the Marine Corps in Jan 69. My platoon was 307.
Our sister platoons were 304, 305, 306. There was an
investigation into the beating of recruits by their Drill
Instructors. Recruits from 304, 305, 306 filed the complaints.
My Drill Instructor called me into the Drill Instructors Hootch.
That's the last thing a recruit wants to hear. I pounded on
their hatch and yelled PVT Manos reporting as ordered.
Inside, there was a Major and a Gy/Sgt. I recognized them as
part of the Investigating Detail. I stood at attention when my
Drill Instructor, Sgt J.I Justice asked me "who can hit the
hardest, Sgt Pornavetts or me". My reply was "the Private
doesn't know. The Private has never been hit before". I felt a
sharp pain in my gut as I bounced off the wall lockers.
I quickly stood back at attention when Sgt (the black glove will
strike tonight) Pornavetts asks "who can hit the hardest, Sgt
Justice or me". My reply was "the Private doesn't know. The
Private has never been hit before". Then I felt that pain again
as I bounced off the wall lockers.
I quickly came back to attention. Now both Drill Instructors are
yelling at me, "who can hit the hardest". My reply was "the
Private doesn't know the Private has never been hit before".
Next thing I know is I feel severe pain on both sides of my gut
as I flew into the wall lockers and dropped to the deck. I tried
to get back to attention as quickly as I could and all I can
here is "Who can hit the hardest, Sgt Pornavetts or me. Who can
hit the hardest Sgt Justice or me".
My reply was "I don't know. The Private has never been hit
before but the Private believes since Sgt Justice is left
handed, he can hit harder w/his left hand and since Sgt
Pornavetts is right handed, he can hit harder w/his right hand.
But the Private doesn't really know because the Private has
never been hit before. I was dismissed.
Four weeks later, my platoon was on the Parade Deck for Final
Drill Comp. So far, we had failed to win not one streamer. My
Senior Drill Instructor, S/Sgt Brown was looking straight at me
when he gave the order to go to Port Arms. I was sweating
profusely because I had just finished a session w/S/Sgt Brown
the night before. He carried a lead pipe in session and my
entire gut was black and blue.
My rifle slipped from hand. The sharp metal sound from the butt
plate of my M-14 hitting the deck could be heard clear down to
Florida. I quickly recovered and the feeling of DOOM engulfed
me. My platoon finished w/no further incident but the damage was
done.
Four days left until graduation and I was DOOMED to repeat the
entire 8 weeks of Boot Camp. Our guide on was out along w/the
other platoons but what was the use. S/Sgt Brown said to me "I
will see you back at the barracks". I was going to go through
another 'attitude adjustment' and then get recycled back to week
1. I was DOOMED!
Then a miracle happened. Platoon 307 was awarded the Green
Streamer thus sparing my life. I did not see S/Sgt Brown until
graduation day. Right after we graduated, I had to 'field day'
my Drill Instructors quarters since I did not have any visitors
come down to see me graduate.
It took me 38 years to figure out why Platoon 307 was awarded
the Green Streamer. Platoon 307, to a man, did not turn in our
Drill Instructors, while Platoons 304, 305, 306 did turn in
their Drill Instructors. Was this the end of my ordeal at the
hands of my Drill Instructors?
We were boarding the bus the next day. The grin on my face could
not get any wider. I had one foot on the bus step when I felt an
excruciating pain go up my butt. I turned around and got another
sharp pain in my chest and there were my Drill Instructors w/a
big smile on their faces. They asked me "Who can hit the
hardest". My reply was "the Private doesn't know. The Private
has never been hit before."
SGT of MARINES
Angelo J. Manos
JAN 69 - JAN 72
Hershel "Woody" Williams, MOH
Sgt Grit,
In regard to Sam Hood inquiring about any Medal of Honor
recipients still alive from Iwo Jima, I can report that Hershel
"Woody" Williams is alive and living in the wilds of WV. He
earned his MOH on Iwo by knocking out 7 Jap bunkers with a
flame-thrower and also taking out several Jap soldiers who
attacked him while he was performing his mission. He is active
in the Marine Corps League and is on the legislative affairs
committee fighting congress for benefits for veterans. Woody is
a motivational speaker at schools and numerous veterans memorial
services and is constantly in demand. He is the only MOH
recipient still alive in WV and the whole state is extremely
proud to have him in out mists.
Roger Ware
Marine Corps League
Department of WV
Then I See
Sgt Grit
Naturally now that I want the reference to it not being the
same, someone wrote about in a recent news letter I can't find
it.
The writer was slightly bemoaning the fact that he doesn't see
the brotherhood of Marines as much any more as we fondly
remember.
To a point I too have to agree with him.
I wrote a letter to the CMC last fall after my trip to Pendleton
and MCRD -SD, about the base conditions I encountered (trash on
roads, parking lots, curbs, etc).
To this date I have not even received a courtesy reply.
Nothing zilch!
I was taught if someone writes you a letter of praise, or
admonishment, whatever, good manners, dictated that you reply.
Apparently the CMC never was taught that lesson of Etiquette.
But I also see it in the numerous Marines I have known for
years, and newer ones that I meet from time to time.
They just don't show the brotherhood. Maybe that's based on the
individual, and perhaps he hasn't come full round the circle
yet.
At one time or another we've all despised the "crotch" and
couldn't wait to separate.
Then slowly we come around to missing it and some of the good
and even bad times we had.
It's funny that attitude I see from many of these Marines, They
wear the hat, shirt, logo, to show people they were in the
Corps, but to many it's a show of farce.
Because of the few that have that attitude, I try my hardest to
present just the opposite appearance. I try to let everyone know
I don't "just wear" the colors, I try to show it by actions.
I greet every Marine, for what he is or was, A fellow comrade in
arms, we each endured the same trials of boot camp and beyond,
whether it be San Diego or Parris Island.
We all had the same training, same type drill instructors (good
and bad), but they all did their job, they trained us.
Then I see the Hyper link from a week ago. Taking Chance, a new
HBO special.
Then the old feeling of the true meaning of Semper Fi comes
back, and confirms that the faith, brotherhood and comradeship,
has NOT died.
It's still there.
The movie should be a must see for all. I'm sure it will be
highly emotional in different ways for all who see it.
Chance Is from Wyoming and that has a special meaning for me as
I too reside in Wyoming.
This is not Kevin Bacon's first time portraying a Marine officer
in the movies. I don't think they could of made a better choice
for the actor in this role.
Movies (based on a real event) as this confirms to me that we
are the FEW and the Proud.
There's just fewer of us from time to time to uphold the PROUD!
Unfortunately I only get one channel on an Antenna, where I am
at so will have to have some one record it, or hope that HBO
releases it on DVD (I'm sure they will).
In the meantime, those that believe the old spirit and
brotherhood, has or is fading away and the newer Marines are not
being instilled with the same. It is still our responsibility as
the ones that have come before, to show and display to them and
others, what it is all about, That without fail, we as Marines,
will always take care of one of our own!
That is our legacy and our responsibility.
Semper Fi!
Cho choo
Sgt of Marines, '68 -74 RVN 70-71
Some Old Marines
In July 1952 when I entered Boot Camp in San Diego, depending
upon your size and the supply stock, we were issued different
sets of uniforms. Some were issued the old "dungarees" with the
large 'hand grenade" pockets while the rest got the newer
utility uniforms. Most of us got issued six sets of gunnysack
summer uniforms while a few got issued four along with one set
of the new gabardines.
We were all issued a short green winter jacket we called the
Eisenhower jacket. While we were in Korea HMC banned the use of
these jackets except for wear aboard the base. This caused a
lot of problems when we hit San Francisco on the way home as
none of us had been informed about the new rule and almost
everyone had held out that jacket as the one to wear the first
day on liberty.
Most of us were issued the short rough hewn tan boondockers
while a few were issued the taller black shiny boots. While
serving with the 1st Marine Air Wing in Korea we were told the
short boots were for "airwingers" and the black boots were for
the "real" Marines. The problem was if you looked around you,
that wasn't the way it turned out to be. True, most of the
pilots I saw wore the short tan suede boots. But the official
statement was that we had to not only shine those things but put
a spit shine on them. Ya, sure! One could write a whole book
on the silly different ideas that came up to accomplish that
feat. The most common one was to use Zippo lighter fluid to
burn off the rough stuff, then use knotted up "com" wire to
smooth what was left. Better yet was to pay some young Korean
to do it.
We were also issued a black metal tie clasp but were not allowed
to wear it for inspections, parades, etc. etc. And the only way
to get a set of blues other than buy them was to be sent to Sea
School, the Band, or something like recruiter duty. One of my
fellow boots asked during clothing issue about the dress blue
uniforms and the Lieutenant in charged replied, "We only issue
those to the peace time Marines." I guess they didn't think we
would have occasion to wear them. Once I was sworn in I never
again got close enough to even touch a set of blues until long
after I was out of the Corps.
Some old Marines have said those days during the mid fifties
were not the proudest days of the Corps. In a few more years
there won't be anyone left who can remember them. Even the late
James Brady, an old Marine rifle platoon leader, goofed when he
wrote his fiction novel "Marines of Autumn". He made one of the
characters in the book a Marine Gunnery Sergeant. There were no
Gunnery Sergeants in the Marine Corps during the Korean
"conflict."
I am still proud to say I served my three years as a Marine and
I still proudly carry in my wallet the card they gave me
certifying my honorable service. Semper Fi! (and a OoooRah
if it works for you)
T. W. Stewart, Sgt. (E-4) USMC 1318421 (1952 - 1955)
Knows What To Do
When I arrive on the yellow foot steps at USMC SAN Diego. I
thought, I was handling the yelling and storming about very
well. I had been warned by Marine buddies who has gone through
before.
After, we shed our slimy civvies and took a shower. We boxed our
clothes to be sent home. I approached a Marine who was sitting
down and writing down our mailing address. I thought, "This is
normal for the military to waste man power doing this. When I
was told to sign the receipt, my hand shook so much all I could
do is draw a large "X." It was then I figure out the Marine
Corps knows what to do.
L/Cpl Crabb 2341550 VN 1967 - 68/ 0311
Marines Like To Show
There is a man in Oklahoma City that owns a Marine Corps
specialty store. With the way Marines like to show their pride
I'm sure he has a full-time business just keeping up with
orders. Yet he takes the time to post newsletters that make us
laugh, cry support Marine families, voice our opinions and from
time to time reconnect to the brothers we have served with.
We hear from Marines that served on Iwo Jima to Iraqi Freedom,
we share their pain, laugh at their stories and share their
grief. It is to this Marine brotherhood, he has dedicated his
life! I hope his pride won't get in the way of posting this
letter of thanks. For all that you have done for us, a deep
thank you from all Marines past and present to a truly
Outstanding Marine, Sergeant Grit. Because of you our Marine
Corps has a voice for everyone to hear.
Semper Fi !
William Whitley, Corporal of Marines, Viet Vet
Proudly, a member of The Walking Dead
I Yelled To The
Saved a Marine from friendly fire while on Cpl of the guard
duty:
We were assigned up at LZ Stud and during that time we had to
pull ( APR 68') guard around the perimeter. It was our turn so
on this night we were located up and down the north side of the
base which looked out and into the mt side.
While working as corporal of the guard - I stopped in to visit
my Marines and confirm the password for the night when I first
observed a Marine named "Root" bring up his weapon m-16 rifle
and stated there's someone out there.
Root was about to snap off his safety when I stated wait - keep
in mind that he gets pretty dark out there in the
bush/countryside. I yelled to the figure way out by our triple
concertina to get his A$s.....in here.
It comes to find out that it was a Marine named "Rourke" from
new york who almost got' his ticket punched that night. Seems
Rourke got lost while trying to get back to his position.
Semper Fi
Gene Spanos
11th Engr Bn Vietnam 2/68-2/69
Charlie Co.
Lt. Col. Frederick A. Locke Ret. USMC
The Purple Foxes, (HMM-364)
Lt. Col. Frederick A. Locke USMC passed away on January 25,
2009. He graduated from Bucknell University and named to the
1952 Olympic Soccer Team. He served the Marines as a Helicopter
Pilot receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star
Metal with Combat V, two purple Hearts, Combat Action Badge and
Presidential Service Medal. He served as a pilot for Presidents
Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson. He is two-time past president
of the Lehigh Acres Rotary Club and past board member of CHA.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Locke.
A memorial service will be held at 1 PM on Feb. 21, 2009 at Lee
Blvd. Baptist Church. Lt. Col. Locke will be buried at Arlington
National Cemetery April 14th at 11:00 AM.
With Another Great Gift
I served our Corps from 1987 - 1991 and I too was stationed with
Headquarters, 11th Marines. I had many thoughts of getting back
to Las Pulgas over the years, it never seemed to work out. Last
year my wife surprised me on our 10th Anniversary with a trip to
California. We took one full day and spent it on the base. I
had never seen combat, I had surgery two weeks before the Gulf
War started so I couldn't go over with the 11th Marines, going
back was like a flashback. It was like I had never left. Sure
some things had changed, but for the most part, CamPen was still
the same. We visited my old barracks room, office, and many
other places that I had spent some of the best days of my life.
It was a great trip and my wife, who had never fully understood
what I would try to describe to her about the Corps, was fully
impressed with every Marine that we met and talked to.
When we returned from our trip, she surprised me with another
great gift. A gift certificate to get the Marine tattoo that I
had always wanted. She had taken a photo of a painting that
someone had done on the Post Office wall at Las Pulgas. It was
of a Marine Bulldog carrying a mail bag. It actually looks like
the Xmas shirt that you have on your web site. Since I've
worked for the Post Office for the last 15 years we thought it
fit just right. I've attached a photo of my tattoo.
Keep up the good work!
Semper Fi!
Jeff Zgorzelski
Kenosha, WI
Little-Known Benefit
Little-known benefit aids veterans of wars
Those who serve during conflict are eligible for up to $19,000 a
year.
The Special Pension for Veterans' Aid and Attendance pays up to
$1,644 a month, $19,736 annually, toward assisted living,
nursing homes or in-home care for veterans 65 and older who
served at least 90 days and one day during wartime - stateside
or overseas. Veterans and their spouses can get up to $23,396
annually and spouses of deceased veterans, $12,681.
Newsok.com article
C-Rats
Dear Sgt Grit.
I have enjoyed many C Ration meals. My favorite was sausage
patties and gravy (this probably the most thrown away meal in
the Marines).
One day I was in Ocean Side and bought this small cast iron
skillet and a bottle of Heinz 57 sauce. The next time I went to
the field I opened a can of patties and put them in the skillet
and fried them on both sides and added some Heinz 57. They
weren't bad. In fact I enjoyed many a meal cooked in that little
skillet.
Also the best hot chocolate was made by crunching up a coupla
coca disk in your canteen cup (for best results you had to use a
tent peg) and a chocolate disk and boil.
A fast way to heat up c rations was to put them on the exhaust
manifold of a vehicle.
former S/Sgt. Norm Barnes
We ate C-rats during field problems at Camp Lejeune early 1950.
They appeared to be left over from WWII. It was easy to heat
them on the manifold of jeeps and six-bys. They were no too bad.
Had to be sure you punctured the cans so they did not blow up.
I found a few left over from that era and still have them. Some
day I'm going to rev up my old jeep and see if they are still
good. I liked the spaghetti best also.
Bill
I used heat tabs and when I did not have heat tabs I used C4 to
heat with.
I liked the Ham and Limas. Open them and pour the grease off and
melt cheese in them. Then I would put hot pepper in them that I
got from some of the villages letting them heat through and
through.
Semper Fi
Robert D. King
A/1/26 Marines
A Khe Sanh Survivor
Good Morning Sqt. Grit,
Whenever I had the misfortune of opening up that "box lunch" and
discovering the dreaded "Ham and Lima Beans" I knew I would be
going hungry. Try as I might to exchange this dreaded choice,
there was but one answer, "I hate Ham and Lima Beans!"
I ended up eating the crackers and following it up with one of
those stale Lucky Strike cigarettes.
If you will permit me to follow up with one more "food" story,
there is probably not another Marine out there that could
swallow the concoction of Corned Beef and Cabbage served from
any Marine Mess Hall. While on Okinawa, and being in supply, I
would make the weekly laundry (bedding) run to Naha Naval base
from Camp Hague. Of course, we always looked forward to our
meals that were usually prepared by civilian cooks. Well, on one
of those trips, the entree was Corned Beef and Cabbage. I
mustered up my courage and took a taste. What a shock! It was
great. Today, I can eat Corned Beef, but I am happy to say, I
have never run into the dreaded ham and lima beans servings.
Just a word to all those Marine cooks that I might have
offended, thanks for all the memories and for all those long
hours that you guys have to endure to see that we are all taken
care of on base and in the field. Aside from all of the joking
of the chow, you Marines are greatly appreciated. By the way, my
favorite menu was always "cold cuts" night. See, I can't stop
jabbing at you guys.
Semper Fi
Always a Marine, Roy Summers, 3rd Mar Div
P.S. Sgt. Grit. I am sure there are a lot of "Mess Duty" stories
out there from those of us that have "served."
Dedication
I wanted to show my dedication to the Marine Corps. I finally
got this tattoo after being out for 18 years. Still feel like
part of the family and nothing will ever compare to the Corps.
Semper Fi-Dave Hoffman
Short Rounds
Sgt. Grit,
Old?
I was your Corporal when God said 'Let there be light', and you
told me to throw the switch as you didn't want to leave your
'comfee' chair and coffee.
God liked our performance so well he made me Sgt. and told us he
needed more men like us and said 'Try a Tavern, I hear Tun's is
good place to fine a Few Good Men!'. I will await your excellent
staff's responses.
In Semper Fidelis,
Richard Crepeau
Sgt. USMC '64-'68, Nam '66-'67
Sorry Sam. Medals of Honor, or any combat decoration are not
'won', they are awarded. There is no competition in seeking the
award.
Semper Fidelis,
Lt. Col. Don Belsey 1964-1996
At Quantico the summer of '58 in the T&T Regiment, we learned
the 8 man squad drill. In '59 at Quantico, Camp Barrett, we
learned the 13 man squad drill. By assignment time to the 1st
Brigade in 1960 we were back to the LPM. Three methods in three
years. The squad drills were certainly more challenging, but
looked great when properly done. The good old LPM was easier to
learn and much more flexible. And Marines always look sharp in
close order, whatever the Drill.
Hulen Jenkins, 1959-1966.
Just received first newsletter reading the different stories
reopen many old memories they truly never go away. I'm thankful
for SGT GRIT, good to see so many Marines and be among them.
This site is a keeper.
well done Sgt, GRIT
SEMPER FI
PFC. MICHEL DUMAIS
M1 MIKE-GRUNT
1st MARINE Div,
3rd BN 5th MARINES
RE: MOH Recipient Woody Williams. I had the honor of meeting Mr.
Williams at the funeral of Jack Lucas in Hattiesburg, MS, last
year. He attended with four other living MOH recipients. My wife
is from WV, and we had just been up there. He is a delightful
person. We chatted about his small town home and other WV
stories.
Lamar Reynolds
Commandant
Commiskey-Wheat Detachment
Marine Corps League
Hattiesburg, MS
While on mess duty in August, 1948 at PI during boot training,
I vaguely recall about three or four recruits, wearing
boondockers, herringbone dungaree trousers, blue shirts or suit
jackets, and straw hats eating chow while being guarded. They
were skin heads like the rest of us and did not wear the hats
while in the mess hall.
S/Sgt Joe Brancati
Plt 133 ... 1948-52
I always like to say,
"The hardest time I had was when the NCO club ran out of ice!"
Cpl. Keith Grisham, 3534 '82-'86
RE: Jerry Wilson' suggestion that The Corps change our name to
SHEEP DOGS!? Not as I'm alive....
Pete Formaz
Drill Instructor of Marines
1867936
This is to all the families of all my brothers and sisters that
never made it home. You will always be in my thoughts till we
meet again. God Bless and Semper Fi
Cpl Treciak (Inactive)
In answer to Jerry Wilson's question in the 19 Feb. Newsletter.
Don't replace your Devil Dog patch with a sheep dog. In the
sheep, wolf, sheepdog analogy sheepdog is a generic description
as in some are pit bulls, some are labs, some are German
Sheppard's (you get the idea). And some very special ones due to
their training are DEVIL DOGS. They are all still sheepdogs
guarding the sheep. So keep your Devil Dog patch as a guardian
of the sheep.
Ken, Mad Dog Sgt. Of Marines 63-68
God Bless the Marine Corps
Welcome Home Marine, Job Well Done!
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
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